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--- hardware_faq [2026/02/01 20:39] – [Can I make my own C64 to joystick/gamepad/mouse adapter?] walter
+++ hardware_faq [2026/02/16 21:34] (current) – [Build-it-Yourself] walter
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
   * Atari wireless CX78+ Gamepad Controller. It also has an USB dongle for use on PC. - The mini joystick on the D-pad can be removed
     * https://atari.com/products/cx78-wireless-gamepad-emea
+  * A Sega Master System controller (two button)
+    * It will work on the C64 and is safe to use. The second button will ground one of the paddle inputs, which does not cause harm as it’s designed to read a voltage input (ground=0V)
   * **Not yet available** but in the works; Protopad from Protovision
     * https://www.protovision.games/shop/protopad/protopad.php
-<wrap hi>Do not use an (unmodified) Sega Genesis controller.</wrap>The plug fits and it works, but the internal wiring differs and will damage your port.
+== Sega Genesis Controller ==
+<wrap hi>Do not use a Sega Genesis controller.</wrap>The plug fits and it works, but the internal wiring differs and will damage your port.
+Pin 7 on the Megadrive is the ground, while Pin 7 on the C64 is +5V. So pressing the controller pad would connect 5V to places where it shouldn’t be. There are electronics inside the controller to multiplex the buttons and it is possible that would be damaged too.
 ==== Joystick ====
@@ Line 48: / Line 51: @@
 Be aware: some DB9 to USB adapters can support mouse on the Atari but not on the C64 but do support gamepad/joystick on the C64
+There is a Micro Tom Bundle DB9 to USB converter & retro ‘tank mouse’ USB mouse. Do not expect this converter too work for USB joystick or gamepad
+    * https://sordan.ie/search/?q=tank+mouse
+==== Paddle ====
+//A paddle is a simple control device for use in games: It has a single potentiometer type knob (similar to the volume knob found on e.g. a stereo) which the player uses to move or control something in the game along a seemingly continuous range. (more see [[c64w>Paddle]]) //
+[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5-3yg8XeE|Youtube video about this type of controller]]
+At present there is no known seller of those new.
 ==== Can I use an USB-device? ====
@@ Line 66: / Line 79: @@
 With mouSTer it works in GEOS and C64OS with an USB-mouse. Be aware that the mouSTer is a universal USB HID class device to DB9 adapter. It emulaties Atari, Amiga and the Commodore 1351 mouse. And it emulates joysticks and gamepads. The mouSTer is highly configurable via an .INI file.
   * https://retrohax.net/shop/modulesandparts/mouster/
+==== Micro Tom ====
+Note: the user manual indicaties that this is useful for the Commodore 64/128 for GEOS mouse emulation. And that it should work also for Joysticks and game pads. - When testimonials are found from C64U user that it works and with what this will be updated.
+  * https://sordan.ie/search/?q=micro+tom
+    * {{ :book:retro_micro_tom_adapter_manual_in_english.pdf |User manual Micro Tom adapter}}
 ==== Other DB9-to-USB dongels ====
@@ Line 77: / Line 94: @@
      * https://www.ebay.com/itm/257183359134
      * https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-receiver-genesis-mega-drive/
+===== DB9-to-Bluetooth adapter =====
+  * joystick adapter for C64.  Supports modern controllers with low latency and dual joystick mode.
+    * https://phol-labs.com/product/phl-unibt-c64-smd-unijoysticle-ii/
 ===== Build-it-Yourself =====
 ==== Can I make my own C64 to joystick/gamepad/mouse adapter? ====
@@ Line 135: / Line 156: @@
 This is a controversial topic.
-At the very least try the UltiSID's first. They are good. It is true they can not cope with edge cases. But those are the exceptions.
+At the very least try the UltiSID's first. They are good. It is true they can not cope with edge cases. But those are the exceptions. [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249159557042604/?multi_permalinks=1278008074157752|FB post about this]]
 If you look you indeed can find programs that will not work like the should [[https://csdb.dk/release/?id=162941|like this one]] with the UltiSID. The C64U offers you the option to install hardware SID's.
@@ Line 160: / Line 181: @@
   * [[https://retrocomp.cz/produkt?id=2|ARMSID replacement of the MOS 6581 and 8580 SID - retrocomp.cz]]
+==== Have anyone tried sidkick pico and how is it compared to armsid or fpgasid? ====
+[[https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249159557042604/?multi_permalinks=1276746404283919|FB post about this question]]
+See post. People responding thought SIDKick Pro is good.
@@ Line 167: / Line 190: @@
 ====== Internal storage ======
 //Do not forget; typical Commodore 64 software is very, very small. Look at the included 'usb cassette' and how much space is still free to guide you how much you need//
+Storage can be added by means of an SD-card or via the USB-port. The speed of the USB port is about 10 MB/s. The SD card is working in 1-bit SPI mode at 25 Mbps (3.125 MB/s), thus this is more then 3x slower than USB.
+Extreem usage test;
+  * Load 16MB REU file from internal micro SD card (64GB SanDisk XC Ultra Class 10) :17 seconds
+  * Load  the same file from external USB thumb drive (Kingston 64GB USB3)  : 3 seconds
+Note that 16MB is huge in this context. So while USB is certainly faster as you will typically load much small files the difference will be less extreme.
 ===== SD-card =====
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   - Carefully open it and unplug the keyboard from the USB-C port and unplug the LED-light. Be careful.
   - Install the Micro-SD-card in the slot contact side down / label side facing up
+[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0bFMNdPQ9w|Youtube video showing to install the SD card]]
+===== USB-stick =====
+Obviously you can just plug any USB mass storage device in the USB port. Like the included USB-stick (cassette).
+Some USB-sticks have a build in light, that you may or may not wish to have it. Especially if you plug it in the internal USB-A port and you have a translucent case.
+It would make sense to buy for this purpose a mini USB-A stick. That looks like one of those dongles for a wireless mouse. - This instead of the traditional stick.
 ===== Adding an NVMe SSD  =====